The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Admn’s drive to sensitise voters at its peak Tribune News Service Amritsar April 10 The Amritsar administration has proved, literally, that the sky is the limit when it comes to spreading awareness among the voters about the power of each vote. This was demonstrated today when a glider aircraft carrying the specially created 100-feet long banner holding the message "Go Vote 30 April 14 DC-ASR" was flagged off by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Ravi Bhagat in the presence of the election observers here today. This was a grand follow up to the airdropping of the pamphlets carrying a special invitation to the citizens to come out and vote on the polling day. The Amritsar administration has gone all out to make the voter participation in the upcoming LS elections to its maximum. Under the SVEEP (Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation) programme of the ECI, a multi-pronged drive was initiated to cover the entire spectrum of activities from the ground to the sky. It started with the release of around 300 hoardings, featuring the photos of voters of Amritsar district, which were placed at all important landmarks of the city for maximum visibility. Around 15,000 stickers were pasted on public transport vehicles such as buses and auto-rickshaws with motivational messages. A special audio CD was released with three election related motivational songs sung by noted singers like Harinder Sohal and Harjinder Sandhu. The lyrics of the songs like "Paa votaan paa ni jawaniye" and "Vote hai saadi power" sung in a rustic voice on a catchy tune, are meant to arouse patriotic emotions in the citizens to go and exercise their hard earned right to vote. These CDs were distributed at local colleges and cinema halls to be played at intervals and assemblies. An audio-visual van, aptly named the SVEEP Rath, was developed, housing a projector and a music system. This van is going to low voter turnout areas and playing video clips of motivational messages as well as the above songs. To enlist the participation of the youth, a marathon called "Run for vote" was organized in which 1,000 first time voters participated and ran along with the officials, wearing the customized T-shirts and caps bearing the "Go vote" and "SVEEP Amritsar" logo. The shirts were also distributed to rickshaw-pullers so that they carry the message wherever they go for all to see. A local NGO was roped in to organize a city-wide signature campaign which managed to get more than 27,000 signatures till date on 500 metres of cloth. Other innovative schemes like discounts on food in restaurants, movie tickets and stay in hotels were also a part of the same initiative. This drive has thus covered the ground and created awareness to ensure the maximum voter participation for the selection of a free and fair democratic government which is truly for the people, of the people and by the people.
	House Tax Superintendent Wadhawan transferred to Jalandhar MC Amritsar, April 10 The Amritsar Municipal Corporation's House Tax Superintendent Vishal Wadhawan, who was allegedly accused of campaigning in favour of SAD-BJP candidate Arun Jaitley, has been transferred to the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation. A few days back, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee had lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, that Wadhawan has been misusing his official position to influence the residents to vote in favour of Jaitley. Even as the official communication is yet to reach the Amritsar MC office, the MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda has confirmed this development. "I have not seen the official orders which may reach tomorrow but I have spoken to Wadhawan and it has been confirmed that he has been transferred," he said. On the other hand, Wadhawan said that he was made a scapegoat on the basis of frivolous complaints "Still, I am committed to performing my government duties wherever I am placed with utmost honesty and dignity and will continue to do so," he said. — TNS
	Illicit liquor seized from Nangal Wanja Wala village PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The distribution of liquor and drugs in order to woo the voters during the polls is no hidden fact. As only 20 days are left for the Lok Sabha polls, the instances of illicit liquor seizure are rampant in the constituency. The Excise and Taxation Department along with the police department today claimed to have confiscated a huge quantity of illicit liquor that was being manufactured in the rural belt of the constituency. The department, in a joint raid with the police department at Nangal Wanja Wala village in Ajnala, recovered ‘lahan’ stored in 11 drums. Two separate cases have been registered in this connection. Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Ravi Bhagat, said the police and the Excise and Taxation department has been asked to adopt zero tolerance towards the illegal manufacturing, sale and distribution of liquor and drugs during the elections as political leaders might use such tactics in order to influence the voters, especially in the rural belt and slum areas of the city. On Tuesday, the police had seized 135-litre illicit liquor and arrested two persons, Gurwinder Singh of Ghasitpura, Batala, and Daljit Singh of Friends Colony, Majitha road. In the last few days, the police recovered nearly 200 bottles of liquor. Out of this, around 153 bottles were seized yesterday. Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said the police have been instructed not to leave any stone unturned and curb bootlegging.
	Police on poll duty, city residents care two hoots for traffic rules GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The holy city these days is reeling under traffic jams. The reason attributed for this is that the traffic police officials are engaged in poll-related vigil ahead of the ensuing elections. This has led to the violation of traffic norms by commuters, haphazard parking of vehicles and encroachments on roads while disrupting the normal traffic. The traffic chaos can be witnessed at the elevated road, Hall Gate, Bhandari Bridge, Lawrence road, Customs intersection, Four S chowk, bus stand, railway station and GT Road. The situation becomes worse when the traffic police either stands leisurely at the prominent crossings or they are too less in number to manage the traffic flow. A traffic police official said, "Presently the entire force is out of the city. As a result, there is hardly anyone to control the traffic." The barricades put up at a distance ahead of the Bhandari Bridge create traffic disturbance because due to depression here, the vehicles are bound to bang into each other. Ironically, the vehicles coming in from the elevated road take a short cut for the Bhandari Bridge through a wrong way. Similarly, to avoid the U-turn to reach the Bhandari Bridge through Pakoriayan Wala Pul, the motorists take the wrong side from the divider. At the Lawrence Road where the divider starts, the police had affixed permanent barricades to desist the vehicle owners to either park their vehicles or take a u-turn. These barricades too have been lifted for reasons best known to the police department only. As a result, the vehicles come in from all directions to cross over and generally get stuck up in the race to outdo each other. The bus stand and railway station road which was never kept unmanned too see a change these days. In the absence of any traffic police, chaotic situation can be witnessed every now and then. The autorickshaw drivers stop just in the middle of the road without bothering about the traffic mess they create. The other notable feature of this messy situation outside railway station gate was the queuing up of heavy and light vehicles like private buses enroute to Attari and other neighbouring destinations. The Four S Chowk which leads to the Mall Road and various other important destinations, including the bus stand on one side and Batala road and Majitha road on the other, had become a centre of traffic chaos at any given time. Residents feel that traffic violators virtually having a free run on the city roads as the city police is engaged in election duties. "It has taken a toll on the traffic police's drive to challan the traffic violators, which has led to rampant violation of norms thus adding to the woes of commuters on the city roads," said Dr Amrit Adhlakha, a local resident. Assistant Commissioner of Police Charanjit Singh admitted that there was shortage of police force. "We are doing our best to regulate the traffic. The points which pose such chaotic situation would be taken into account and efforts would be made to streamline the traffic scenario, despite many odds," he said.
	Residents rue illegal excavation in Tarn Taran PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The alleged illegal excavation of panchayat land at a village in Tarn Taran road has invited the wrath of local residents who claimed that this would not only damage their houses located nearby but would also led to the ground water pollution and environment degradation. Majority of these houses belonged to Dalit people who alleged that the illegal digging was being done at the behest of a local Akali leader. They alleged that pick and choose method was being used as these people voted against the ruling party in the Panchayat elections. District administration on the other hand said the land belonged to the gram panchayat which has received grants under the MNREGA scheme to dig the village pond deeper. District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) SP Angra pointed out that as the adjoining land of the village pond was illegally grabbed by the people who had constructed their houses (at the said land). As per the village panchayat there was need to dig the village pond deeper for which it received the grant. However, he said he was yet to receive the report from the BDPO who was sent to inspect the spot after receiving complaint from local residents. Ajeet Singh, a resident of the village, said due to excessive digging the earth around their house has started caving in and thus weakening the foundations of their houses. This has endangered their houses and lives of the residents living nearby. "The land is being dug beyond permissible limit. The drain water which had accumulated in the dug up land would pollute the ground water which is major sources of drinking water of the local residents," said Jagtar Singh Karampura, a communist leader. Veer Kaur, another inhabitant, said this has endangered the life of the children of nearby residents if anyone of them fell accidentally in the huge dug up pit and the pond. The residents alleged the work of digging up is being done for past three months. They alleged with barely two months left for the onset of the rainy season the conditions would only deteriorate further. Rattan Singh Randhawa, CPIM leader, said they would hold a protest outside the DDPO office on April 12 in this regard. He demanded registration of case against the persons involved in digging besides action against the officials who have turned a blind eye towards this.
	GNDU’s non-teaching staff up in arms against varsity authorities Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The non-teaching employees were up in arms against the Guru Nanak Dev University authorities for the ill policies which hampered their promotional aspects. The matter was subdued after the VC, Prof AS Brar, assured that he would look into the matter and formed a committee, comprising Dean, Academic Affairs Prof HS Hundal and Registrar, Dr Inderjit Singh to scrutinise. The non-teaching employees under the banner of the GNDU Non-Teaching Employees Union resented that the authorities have placed teachers on almost all the non-teaching cadre posts, which has closed the promotional prospects of non-teaching staff enquire into the unprecedented transfer of gardeners. Rajnish Bhardwaj, president of non-teaching union, said high drama prevailed in the VC office today when they were not allowed to meet him. "We had submitted our charter of demands to the VC but he never cared to implement it unlike the Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Punjabi University, Patiala. We demanded that the non-teaching posts should be filled up with the candidate from non-teaching cadre as per the rules, the unprecedented transferred should not be made, the technical cadre demanded pay scales at par with the clerical wing. All these have been implemented by the PU, Chandigarh and Punjabi University, but the GNDU authorities were still hesitant to implement them," he said. "If we do not get favourable outcome, we would resort to intensify our agitation at the state level," he said.
	Over 40 educational institutes take part in 2-day event at GNDU Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The Department of Law of the Guru Nanak Dev University organised a two-day event, ECSTASY-14, today. The objective was to bring out the talent of law students of different universities and colleges. Students from as many as 40 educational institutions from different parts of the country are participating in various events, including the client counselling, drafting, moot court, quiz, judgement writing and debate. Prof PK Sehajpal, Dean, Students Welfare, inaugurated the event. Dr Rattan Singh, Head of the Department, welcomed the chief guest. While appreciating the efforts of the department, Prof Sehajpal said, "The profession of law is very serious which needs presence of mind to tackle the legal complicacies, but through this mega event we wanted to explore the extracurricular talent among the law students." He exhorted the law students to fulfill their duties with dedication and responsibility, so that justice should not be deprived to anyone. Dr Rattan Singh said that the winners of this event would be awarded with cash prizes and trophies. Today, competitions of client counseling, drafting, moot court, quiz, judgment, writing and debate were organized. A separate food court to show case the city's best cuisine along with fun filled and enthralling game zone were arranged. Meawnhile, Dr Viney Kapoor, Dr Bimaldeep Singh, Dr Kuljit Kaur, Dr RP Singh were also present on this occasion. Harkirandeep Kaur, Assistant Professor, and Dr Jaspal Singh of the department presented vote of thanks.
	90 treated under BSF’s de-addiction campaign Amritsar, April 10 Youths who were de-addicted under the campaign launched by the Border Security Force (BSF) have now become an inspiration for the others. They are encouraging the addicted youths to get rid of this inhibition and return to the mainstream to live a life of dignity. As per the BSF authorities, as many as 90 youths belonging to border villages have been de-addicted under their campaign. Fifteen more youths were admitted to Swami Vivekanand De-addiction Centre at Government Medical College for undergoing treatment. A special programme was organised at the de-addiction centre in which as many as 35 youths, who were successfully detoxified, were honoured with medals. Gurdev Singh of Khasa village, who was hooked to drugs and underwent treatment with the efforts of the BSF, said he got a new lease of life and now he was happily living with his family, which also encouraged him to be part of the campaign. Surinderpal of Chhidan village said he was living a peaceful life now. They encouraged other youths, who were still grappling with the drug problem, to choose life and shun drugs. MF Farooqui, DIG BSF, Amritsar sector, who was present on the occasion, said the campaign launched by the BSF had witnessed unprecedented success. He said all villages located near the Indo-Pak border in Amritsar sector had now been associated with the campaign. The BSF got huge support from the border residents, who were fed up with the drug menace prevalent in almost all villages, he added. “Our support has swelled a number of times since the launch of the campaign last year. We will not leave any stone unturned in eradicating the menace from our society,” said Farooqui, adding that they were also making efforts to rehabilitate the youth by providing self-employment opportunities as per their capabilities and capacity. — TNS
	Pharmacists decry election duty Amritsar, April 10 The Pharmacists Association has criticised deployment of pharmacists on election duty at polling booths. The organisation said that it would affect emergency medical services in the district. The district at present has 120 pharmacists and 8 chief pharmacists posted at 40 health institutions in the district, including primary health centres, dispensaries, sub-divisional hospital, district hospital and the ESI hospital. The administration has deployed 75 pharmacists and one chief pharmacist on election duty. The District Health Department had earlier requested the local administration not to deploy technical staff on poll duty. Pharmacist association president Shamsher Singh Kohri said, “The administration will have to run medical services at all the 40 health institutions on the election-day, which means that atleast 40 pharmacists will be required.” Kohri said the district had 1,920 polling booths and even if a mobile medical unit was assigned the duty to look after 10 polling booths, the district would require 192 pharmacists, one each in a mobile team. He said as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, technical and paramedical staff of the Health Department could not be deployed on election duty. — TNS
	Assn demands Vatican status for Amritsar Amritsar, April 10 Culture and Heritage Conservation Initiative, a local association, while demanding ‘Vatican’ like status for the holy city of Amritsar, has urged all political parties to come out clear on the issue. The organisation has also invited all major parties for a public debate on “Amritsar for Vatican status”. Dr Manjit Singh Randhawa, a retired Civil Surgeon, who heads the heritage body, said only Vatican like international status of the city of highest temporal seat of Sikhism could provide sanctity, security and world-class infrastructure it truly deserved. He said political parties should guarantee that no Blue-Star ever takes place, irrespective of the regimes that may come in power in Delhi. In a communication to APP chief Arvind Kejriwal, the heritage body urged him to take a lead and commit on the issue, to provide much belated, but most required healing touch on open and bleeding wounds of Sikhs. Randhawa said Sikhs inspired and led by Sikh gurus were credited with highest martyrdom and sacrifices in the history to free the mother from the shackles of the 800-year-old slavery of Mughals and the 100-year British rule. He said the Akal Takhat was a heritage monument of India’s freedom struggle, which deserved its due status. — TNS
	Man attempts suicide in jail Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 A habitual offender, who was arrested by the Maqboolpura police, as a precautionary measure under the criminal procedure code, tried to commit suicide by banging his head against the iron bars of the police lock up. He sustained head injury in the incident. The police have registered a case under Section 309 of the IPC (attempt to commit suicide) and sent the culprit to jail. As per information, Tarsem Singh, a resident of Street No 2 of Maqboolpura area, infamous for rampant drug abuse, was arrested by the police under Section 110 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) as a precautionary measure. Amolak Singh, SHO of the Maqboolpura police, said he was a habitual offender and involved in drug peddling. A couple of cases were already registered against him. That is why he was arrested as a precautionary measure, said the SHO. However, immediately after he was lodged in the police lock up, he became agitated and started banging his head against the iron bars leading to head injury, added the SHO. The policemen took him out of the lock up and gave him medical aid. He was sent to judicial custody, said Amolak.
	World Health Day observed Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The Health Department organised a function at Navjot Modern Senior Secondary School to observe World Health Day. Speaking on the occasion, Civil Surgeon Dr Usha Bansal said, "World Health Organisation was set up on April 7, 1948 and ever since world health day is being observed." She said, "Theme of the World Health Day this year is to create awareness about vector-borne diseases as malaria and dengue." She said, "Mosquitoes are a cause of both the diseases and there is a need to create awareness that water is not logged near residential areas." She said, "In 2008, 4,200 dengue cases were reported and 21 people died. In 2011, 3,900 dengue cases were reported and 31 people died." District Epidemiologist Dr Charanjit Singh said tpeople should become aware of the causes and prevention, treatment of dengue.
	Seminar on environment, endangered species held Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 A seminar on protection of environment and endangered species was organised at Khalsa College Public School (KCPS), here today. The seminar was held with association of the World Wide Fund (WWF) and EcoSikh, the NGOs working for the protection of environment and rare species. WWF Chairperson and EcoSikh head Gunbir Singh said, "More and more species are getting endangered. The bio-diversity and its preservation for future generations are important." School Principal Dr Sarvjit Kaur Brar said, "The environment and endangered species needs to be protected and awareness like this seminar is must for creating the belongingness amongst the younger generation relating safeguarding the endangered animals." A short film was also screened about the endangered species and wild life, which highlighted the poaching of animals and commercial use of animal carcasses. In the end, MoU was signed between Eco-Amritsar and the KCPS for keeping the city clean and green.
	Mobile phone recovered from undertrial Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The Amritsar Central jail authorities recovered a mobile phone from an undertrial during a routine search. Superintendent RK Sharma said, “A dual SIM mobile phone of Nokia make has been recovered from Ashok Yadav, an undertrial. Besides this, two mobile batteries were also recovered from his possession.” A case under Section 420 of the IPC 42/52-A of the Prisoners Act has been registered against the accused at the Cantonment police station.
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